On the Great White Trail

On the Great White Trail also known as Renfrew on the Great White Trail is a 1938 American Northern starring James Newill as Sgt. Renfrew of the Royal Mounted in the second of the film series. It was produced and directed by Albert Herman.

On the Great White Trail
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Albert Herman
Written by	Laurie York Erskine (story) Charles Logue (screenplay) Joseph F. Poland (screenplay)
Produced by	Albert Herman (producer)
Starring	See below
Cinematography	Ira H. Morgan
Edited by	Duke Goldstone
Production company	Criterion Pictures
Distributed by	Grand National Pictures
Release date	July 22, 1938 (1938-07-22)
Running time	58 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

Even in the remote fur trading section of Canada, Sergeant Douglas Renfrew finds a lady in distress. Kay Larkin, whose father is a suspect to a crime. Larkin's partner, along with another Mountie, are found murdered: word came down from the remote region of the Pacific Northwest from Dr. Howe, who resides there. But after finding old man Larkin, and arresting him in the name of the Crown, Renfrew hears his story and suspect's Kay's father is innocent of the charges. Pierre, an employee of a trading post up north, is suspect until Dr. Howe's guilt is revealed. Howe committed the murders and attempted to frame Larkin. The motive was theft and greed that resulted in a murder neither party wanted to be involved, then attempted to cover their tracks.

Cast

• James Newill as Sgt. Renfrew
• Terry Walker as Kay Larkin
• Robert Frazer as Andrew Larkin
• Richard Alexander as Doc Howe
• Richard Tucker as Inspector Newcom
• Bob Terry as Sergeant Kelly
• Eddie Gribbon as RCMP Constable Patsy
• Walter McGrail as Garou
• Philo McCullough as Henchman Williams
• Charles King as Henchman LaGrange
• Juan Duval as Henchman Pierre
• Victor Potel as Lyons
• Silver King the Dog as King, Renfrew's Dog

Production

Replacing Lighting, the police dog from the first Renfrew movie, was another German Shepherd, Silver King, whose screen presence lasted a mere half a dozen movies. Director Al Herman was contracted to direct two Renfrew movies. Because the studio, Grand National Pictures, filed bankruptcy, Criterion acquired the former contract and Herman fulfilled his obligation before departing the poverty row studio for another low-budget entity, Monogram. Herman would go on to direct a number of Tex Ritter westerns.^[1]

Soundtrack

• James Newill - "Mounted Men" (Written by Betty Laidlaw and Robert Lively)
• James Newill - "You're Beautiful" (Written by Lew Porter)
• James Newill - "Je T'aime" (Written by Lew Porter and Bob Taylor)

See also

• Renfrew of the Royal Mounted (1937)
• Sky Bandits (1940)
• Danger Ahead (1940)
• Yukon Flight (1940)